| A lot people underestimate the importance of a | | | | there are no background noises. It's obviously best to |
| telephone interview. For some reason, there's this | | | | avoid having the call in a public place. |
| perception among many that you don't have to be | | | | 4. You may be asked the same types of questions |
| prepared. Perhaps they believe that a telephone | | | | that an interviewer would ask in a face-to-face |
| interview is just a formality that takes place before a | | | | meeting, so be sure to have responses ready for the |
| face-to-face meeting. But that's just not true. Just | | | | most commonly asked interview questions such as |
| because you get a telephone interview doesn't mean | | | | what are your strengths, why do you want this job, |
| you're guaranteed to be invited to a face-to-face | | | | etc. There are lots of great books that can help you |
| meeting. Employers and recruiters use phone | | | | come up with well thought out answers to these |
| interviews as a means to screen job candidates. If | | | | types of questions. |
| you blow your telephone interview, you will not get a | | | | 5. The interviewer may ask you if you have any |
| face-to-face. For that reason, it's just as important to | | | | questions, so prepare a list of questions that |
| be prepared for a phone interview as it is for a | | | | demonstrate your interest in the opportunity. |
| face-to-face. | | | | 6. Keep a copy of your resume by your side. The |
| Here are some tips to help you prepare for your | | | | interviewer may ask you questions about things you |
| telephone interview: | | | | wrote in your resume so have it handy. |
| 1. Always schedule the call to give yourself enough | | | | 7. A telephone interview is a preliminary step in the |
| time to research the company and the opportunity | | | | process for the employer so it's usually not a good |
| thoroughly. It's not uncommon to get a request to | | | | idea to attempt to get details about compensation. |
| have a telephone interview the same day you're | | | | However, it is ok to ask what the salary range for |
| notified that they want to speak with you. That may | | | | the position is in order to establish whether or not |
| be fine if you have enough time to do some | | | | you're interested in pursuing the opportunity any |
| research, but it's best to give yourself a few days to | | | | further. |
| do your due diligence. | | | | 8. Never interrupt the interviewer. Allow two or three |
| 2. Find out who will be on the call. Get their names | | | | seconds after the person finishes speaking before |
| and titles. It's particularly important to find out if | | | | you say anything. Just be careful not to allow for |
| multiple people will be participating in the phone | | | | long silent pauses, which can be uncomfortable. |
| interview on behalf of the employer. Be prepared for | | | | 9. At the end of the interview, assuming you're |
| that possibility. It's important to know exactly who | | | | interested in the position, ask the interviewer what |
| will be interviewing you so that you will be prepared | | | | next steps are and when they expect to start |
| to answer various types of questions. For example, | | | | conducting face-to-face interviews. |
| you may be on the call with a Human Resources | | | | 10. Don't forget to thank the interviewer for his or |
| representative and the VP of the department that's | | | | her time and let them know you look forward to |
| looking to hire someone. | | | | hearing from them. |
| 3. Avoid taking the call from a cell phone unless | | | | Andrea writes for FoundCareer, the leader in free to |
| you're absolutely certain that your connection is good | | | | post job boards. |
| and that you won't get disconnected. Also make sure | | | | |